Monday, June 25, 2012

A Review of Richmonde Cafe Ortigas

sushi section
Everyone loves a great lunch buffet.

With lots of dishes to choose from, we try to have a taste of each delicacy to get our money's worth because let's face it, buffets are not that easy on the pocket.

As a result, each buffet meal takes about two to three hours to enjoy.

So what happens when you only have that traditional one-hour lunch? Most likely, you won't be able to eat to your heart's content and you will end up paying much more than what you actually consumed.

I have had enough lunch buffets to know that such episodes will make you feel bad after.

my nephew at the lobby
Luckily, there are some lunch buffets in the Metro which offer the right amount of delicacies to partake at more affordable rates.

Richmonde Cafe, located at the second floor of the Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas serves as the hotel's all-day dining service for in-house and walk-in guests alike.

But it's lunch buffet is quite famous as it offers customers the chance to enjoy a buffet that's just enough to keep you satisfied.

At P995 per visitor, each guest can enjoy the buffet of your requisite courses (pork roast, sushi, chicken, poor, beef, fish, dimsum and seafood) along with a nice selection of desserts. 

My nephew and I went to the nearby Podium mall to buy a gift and we decided to give Richmonde Cafe a try.

After all, I've heard great feedback about it and its one of the most affordable hotel lunch buffets you can find. (Most lunch buffets are at P1,200 to P1,900).

I am not really looking for the lowest priced buffet but I am after my money's worth.

I am in fact one of the people who believe that in buffet lunch, you don't get to each as much you can because you are either pressed for time, or you're just too overwhelmed by so many choices.
dessert section

One of the cafe's staff led us to a secluded area and in no time, I was enjoying my favorite pork roast, dimsum and sushi while my nephew went to the pork and chicken section. 

The queue for the grill section was long, proving that the grilled pork and fishes (salmon, etc) are quite the favorites among customers. 

Another favorite area is the tempura stand where the attending chef had to keep replenishing the tray due to great demand. 

Richmonde Cafe also has a great salad selection for appetizers but unfortunately, my nephew and I don't like vegetables that much so we just skipped it. 

But after our main courses though, we really enjoyed the dessert section. I particularly enjoyed their maruya and their blueberry cake.

The floor area of Richmonde Cafe is just right for a business hotel. It has a seating capacity of 94 people, so it is definitely easier for each person to visit all of the cafe's meal sections.

And because of its relatively smaller space, the ambiance is quite cozy and its ideal for managers/employee around the Ortigas area or for small group of friends.

 I even imagined that the venue if perfect for small gatherings like birthdays, press conferences or the like. And I was really glad when one of the waiters confirmed that the venue is indeed popular for such events.
the grill section

After a little over an hour, and several plates, we already settled our bill and immediately left the cafe for another appointment.

Looking back, I realized that I actually enjoyed Richmonde Cafe as it is one of those no-nonsense dining places, which gives you all that you need. The choice of dishes is limited as compared to others but it will definitely keep you satisfied.

And for less than P1,000 per person, Richmonde Cafe is one of the best value for money lunch buffets in town. 

Note: (sorry for the not-so-clear pics. My nephew took the photos, hahaha)


Friday, June 22, 2012

Confessions of a Couchsurfing Addict

at Dillingers
It is already 1:30am Wednesday morning, but the the stream of people going in and out of Dillinger's doesn't seem to end. Partyphiles and club addicts strut their stuff, while drinking aficionados are sharing a toast.

A good number of us, about 40 or so Couchsurfing members occupy about half of the clubs dance floor and we are quite oblivious to the angry stares from people who could no longer get in due to the jam-packed crowd inside.

Here in this club in the heart of the busy Makati central business district, people from virtually all walks of life, hailing from as far as Romania, Paris, Kansas, Taiwan, Brazil and England among others, have gathered to celebrate our common love for travel and adventure.

We are couchsurfing addicts and we are welcoming the arrival of several guests in our city in the best way possible: showing them the world famous Filipino hospitality and offering them a peek into the vibrant Manila nightlife.

CS pool party
Just days ago, some of us, about 60 or so, even attended an overnight pool party in Paranaque, a party, which I can consider to be one of the best I have ever attended. Mind you, I am such a party animal so I have attended lots of parties.

Almost a week before the party, I also attended a house/pool party for very cool CS people hosted by another surfer and it was also a blast.

Indeed, the Philippine couchsurfing scene is becoming more alive and its achieving new heights.

And it is making everyone appreciate and believe the wonders of meeting new people in new destinations.

These events are bringing closer expats and locals who, otherwise, have no chance of business of meeting each other.

Looking back, I seriously believe that couchsurfing has not reached mainstream popularity and acceptance among Filipino travelers.

There are forums as far back as 2007 and there were events/gatherings but I never really heard of them among my travel circles. Of course, my travel circle is not the only gauge, but the lack of knowledge of about 20 or so avid travelers  about something as cool and ingenue as CS is quite telling.

I joined Couchsurfing in January 2010 after researching of possible travel arrangements for backpackers like me.

I didnt become active until I hosted my own get together,attended by about 50 people. Without prior activity or participation in the regular, already established CS scene, it was a surprise that the party got as much people as it did.

But as I pointed during the party, my sole purpose is to gather like-minded people who have the same appreciation and passion for travel, adventure, and meeting new people.

Apparently, most people who attended that first party have the same purpose and mission and the fact that a lot of them attended a CS event for the first time is quite surprising.

In the succeeding months, my love affair with CS has grown deeper, thanks to more CS parties including one I attended in Seoul.

My awesome hosts in Seoul were also part of the reason why I wanted more people to get to know and appreciate CS.

 Now looking at the this huge crowd of newfound friends, I have high hopes that the CS scene in the Philippines becomes even more active in the years to come.

Granted, very few of these people have actually experienced surfing or hosting in couches or houses, but attending CS events is a very good first step.






Sunday, June 10, 2012

Red Carabao: A Great Hostel in the Heart of Manila

One of the things tourists complain about Manila as a destination is that hotel rates are not cheap. In fact, they are quite expensive as compared to hotels in other Asean countries. And there's really not many options for backpackers who wish to explore the country's capital but have little or tighter budget.

As a result, they are discouraged from visiting the country and if they do, some directly go to Boracay, Cebu or Palawan, and they don't get to appreciate the urban charms of Manila.

But thankfully, there is a Filipino family who recognized this problem and decided to open a hostel, one of the most convenient and affordable type of accommodation right in the heart of Manila.

Red Carabao, located in Felix Huertas in Sta. Cruz, Manila offers local and foreign backpackers an alternative way of staying and exploring Manila.

Rates go for as low as P204 or about $5 per person (hostelworld.com) for group rooms. Discounts are even available for those staying for more than 14 days.

common kitchen
It has a common lobby, just like most hostels where you can meet fellow travellers. It has free broadband terminals and breakfast are already inclusive of the rates.

It has a rooftop smoking area (where staying guests hold drinking sessions nightly), and there's no curfew, perfect for those who wish to go clubbing.

Red Carabao also has a 24-hour surveillance system to ensure the guests security.

The hostel's location is also quite central. You can go to downtown Manila, Makati, Caloocan and Quezon city easily through by the LRT and through jeepneys.

Internet area
The emergence of these kind of hostels catering to foreign backpackers is a very much welcome development for the Philippine tourism industry.

The posh hotels will not really lose their clients since they are targeting a different segment of the tourist market. But these hostels, will encouraged those who have limited budget to still come to Philippine shores and see what we have to offer.

Tourism in Thailand boomed, thanks a lot to cheap hotels and hostels located everywhere, especially in Khao San Road in Bangkok. Backpackers also flock to Kuala Lumpur and stay at the numerous hostels along Jalan Petaling street.

Siem Reap in Cambodia also has lots of cheap hotels.

common lounge
I met Aldrich, one of the passionate owners of Red Carabao at a house couchsurfing party he hosted and I was immediately impressed by his passion and dedication to change and improve people's views on Manila.

I admit, I am one of those who believe that Manila as a tourist destination doesn't have a lot of things to offer aside from the clubs, bars and red light districts.

But like the backpackers who have stayed in Red Carabao, whom Aldrich tour around the city, I realized that there is more to Manila than I know, or wish to recognize.

Granted that he grew up in the US, but Aldrich says that what we consider normal can be interesting for tourists. For one, our churches are beautiful.
visitors in front of Quiapo church

Our street foods are as bizarre and unique like those in China and Thailand.

Our traditional Flores de Mayo also captured the hearts of foreign visitors who saw it.

He also toured visitors in Binondo, our own version of Chinatown and they loved it.

location map
Since it started operating in 2009, Red Carabao was clear and determined to accomplish its main goals. It is "on a mission to help change the way the world looks at Manila".

With people like Aldrich and establishments like Red Carabao, I just realize that it may not be a futile attempt after all. In time, more and more foreign visitors may indeed see the city in a different, more positive light.


 Photos courtesy of Red Carabao Facebook page and Wordpress site.